Hotel Shangri La

Once upon a time — 1939 to be exact — the Hotel Shangri La opened its doors in Santa Monica, high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Today, fresh from a $30 million makeover, this Santa Monica hotel is stylish as ever, retaining its Art Deco elegance while modernizing its 71 guest rooms for a new era. In addition to 24-hour room service, the hotel offers spacious rooms, evening turndown with homemade cookies, an excellent concierge and free Wi-Fi (always a plus!)

Located a short walk from Santa Monica beach and its best shopping (the Santa Monica Farmer's Market is right outside), the Hotel Shangri La has something else to cheer about — a happening rooftop pool bar and lounge called Suite 700.

Designed by nightclub guru Marc Smith, Suite 700 offers sweeping views of the ocean from its outdoor terrace. Enjoy retro Hollywood cocktails in the plush outdoor lounge while warming up by the fire pit, or head inside to the seductive bar, which combines urban chic with a beach vibe. Etched mirrors, large port windows and a scalloped fireplace add to the mood.

Suite 700 serves a full menu through 1 a.m. on weekends and midnight on weekdays. Choices include octopus carpaccio with salted lemon and smoked paprika; drunken watermelon with avocado espuma and bay shrimp; or the lamb lion with Medjool dates and piquillo liquid.

For more formal dining, head to The Dining Room, led by executive chef Dakota Weiss. For more relaxed dining, enjoy The Courtyard, which overlooks the hotel's pool and terraces. This Santa Monica restaurant serves up a menu of seasonal farm-fresh cuisine, ranging from salads and sandwiches to their signature flatbreads.

Start out with fresh raw oysters topped with serrano pepper puree, then take your pick of several small plate items, ranging from grilled lamb sausage with harissa mustard slaw or truffled egg toast with fontina cheese.

Signature entrees include the Jidori Chicken with hedgehog mushroom mashed potatoes, and the Crispy Orrata, with Oregon bay shrimp and creamed corn cannelloni.

Plan to spend plenty of time poolside. On weekends, Hotel Shangri-La hosts a fun LA pool party scene, complete with plenty of nibbles ranging from deviled eggs stuffed with curry, chipotle and black truffles; to "Fancy Dogs." One of their most popular LA pool parties take place 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays, with $5 cocktails and live entertainment.
 
Hotel Shangri-La, a luxe boutique hotel in Santa Monica, is located at 1301 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA. 90401. For reservations call (877) 999-1300 or go to http://www.shangrila-hotel.com

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